Merrill Private Wealth Management announced that local Private Wealth Advisor Mary Ellen Garrett has been named to four of Forbes’ most prestigious regional rankings for 2026. Garrett was ranked No. 58 on the Forbes “Best-in-State Wealth Advisors” list for Georgia, No. 15 on the Forbes “Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-in-State” list, Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams" and Forbes “America’s Top Women Wealth Advisors”.

These rankings recognize premier financial advisors who demonstrate exceptional client service, professional high standards, and deep-rooted industry expertise.

For Garrett, who joined Merrill in 1985 and serves as a cornerstone of The Garrett Group, the recognition is less about personal achievement and more about the collective efforts of those around her.

"While being named to these lists is a profound honor, it is truly a shared achievement," said Mary Ellen Garrett. "Success is never built alone. I am incredibly grateful to our exceptional team at The Garrett Group, our families, and the many wonderful people working tirelessly behind the scenes who make milestones like this possible. This accolade belongs to all of them, and I want to make sure we celebrate this recognition together as a team."

Garrett’s financial and civic career has been a profile of devotion and influence in the Atlanta area. Over more than four decades, she has built a reputation for caring deeply for multiple generations of clients and their families, offering guidance that blends financial expertise with vital life lessons.

Her long-term commitment to professional excellence is reflected in her consistent appearance on numerous elite industry lists over the years, including:

-Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams" (2024, 2025, 2026) as a member of The Garrett Group
-Forbes "Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-in-State" (2022–2026)
-Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Advisors" (2022–2026)
-Forbes “America’s Top Women Wealth Advisors” (2026)
-Atlanta Magazine "Women Making a Mark" (2026 honoree)

In 2015, Garrett’s profound commitment to service was recognized globally when she was named a recipient of the David Brady Community Service Award, a global honor bestowed upon select Bank of America Corporation employees from among more than 50,000 nominees worldwide.

Garrett is equally devoted to her civic and personal life. In the Atlanta community, she currently serves as Chair of the St. Joseph Health Systems/Mercy Care and as a Trustee of The Parkinson’s Foundation. She has also served on the Atlanta Catholic Archdiocese Finance and Advisory Council. A sought-after voice, Garrett frequently speaks at seminars on topics including wealth and estate planning strategies.

Garrett and her husband, Scott, have been married for more than 40 years. They reside in Atlanta and are the proud parents of three children and grandparents of four grandchildren.

Nationally, Merrill secured the No. 1 position on the 2026 Forbes list, with a total of 2,314 advisors recognized, including 2,098 Financial Advisors and 216 Private Wealth Advisors.

Additionally, Merrill has 29 advisors ranked No. 1 in their respective state or region.